BTS becomes youngest ever recipients of South Korean government's Order of Cultural Merit

BTS has been honored with the Order of Cultural Merit from the South Korean government.

According to a statement made on October 8 by a spokesperson for Cheong Wa Dae (the 'Blue House'), South Korean president Moon Jae In awarded both BTS and actor Lee Soon Jae with the high honor, which recognizes "outstanding meritorious services in the fields of culture and art in the interest of promoting the national culture and national development."

BTS has been credited with contributing to the development of popular culture and arts, including spreading Hallyu all around the world. They are the youngest to receive the honor thus far.

Prime minister Lee Nak Yeon also praised the group for increasing awareness of the Korean language, adding: "BTS is not only spreading songs with Korean lyrics to numerous young people in other countries, but are also spreading Hangul [to the world] as well."